Happy Valentine's Day 2013

Vuokko Kulta from the Svensson Centre

"Life is full of ups and downs, and the journey is so much easier when we have friends to hold our hand along the way..."

I wrote those words on this blog exactly a year ago, and how true they turned out to be. I didn't know at the time what the coming twelve months had in store for our family, nor that this Valentine's Day I would be single again. But you often don't know what is round the next corner, and ups and downs there have certainly been.

Whilst Valentines Day in the UK is a romantic occasion which is celebrated between couples, here in Finland the day is about remembering friendship....and that is one thing I believe is worth celebrating at every opportunity.

I have lost things over the past few months that I would not have chosen to lose, but our family remains rich in terms of friendship, and I say thank you for that every single day. Without those people, the world for both me and my children would be a very different place.

It has been a busy week this week, especially with the birth of Tiana two days ago, but last night when the little ones were asleep, I sat with Lucie and Cameron and we made some friendship cards and talked about the people who are important to us. Then, like last year, I spent the morning at Somero's community centre (Svensson) and helped with the friendship day lunch there. Last year around forty people turned up to this event - this year the figure had more than doubled.

Everyone of us has different dreams and priorities and hopes for the future - but one thing that none of us can do without is friendship. So this is to say Happy Friendship Day and Happy Valentine's Day to all our friends, both in Finland and all over the world. Thank you for always being there. Wishing you all love for today and for many years to come.